“I Want to Know What Love Is” is one of Foreigner’s most enduring and beloved songs, released in 1984 as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Agent Provocateur. The song marked a significant moment in Foreigner’s career, showcasing their ability to blend rock with soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Written by Mick Jones, the band’s guitarist and primary songwriter, the song was produced by Alex Sadkin, who had previously worked with artists like Grace Jones and Duran Duran, bringing a polished and sophisticated sound to the track.
Foreigner, an Anglo-American rock band formed in 1976 by British vocalist Mick Jones and American vocalist Lou Gramm, had already achieved substantial success by the time “I Want to Know What Love Is” was released. Their earlier hits, such as “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” and “Juke Box Hero,” had established them as a formidable force in the rock scene, known for their powerful vocals, compelling guitar riffs, and anthemic choruses. However, with Agent Provocateur, Foreigner sought to evolve their sound by incorporating more diverse musical influences, including elements of soul and gospel, which culminated in the creation of “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
The song’s genesis is rooted in Mick Jones’ personal experiences and his desire to explore deeper emotional themes beyond the typical rock fare. Inspired by Jones’ fascination with understanding love and its complexities, the song reflects a universal longing for emotional connection and comprehension of love’s true essence. This thematic exploration resonated widely with audiences, contributing to the song’s immense popularity and lasting legacy.
Upon its release in March 1984, “I Want to Know What Love Is” quickly ascended the charts, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and maintaining that position for two weeks. It also achieved significant success internationally, topping charts in countries such as Canada, Australia, and several European nations. The song’s commercial triumph was further bolstered by its memorable music video, which received extensive airplay on MTV, a dominant force in music promotion during the 1980s.
The success of “I Want to Know What Love Is” played a crucial role in cementing Foreigner’s status as one of the premier rock bands of the decade. It showcased their versatility and ability to craft songs that transcended genre boundaries, appealing to a broad and diverse audience. The song’s impact extended beyond immediate chart success, influencing the landscape of rock and pop music and inspiring countless artists to explore similar emotional and melodic depths in their work.
Musical Style
“I Want to Know What Love Is” is a quintessential power ballad, a genre that was particularly popular in the 1980s. The song blends elements of rock, pop, and soul, creating a rich and emotionally charged soundscape that highlights Foreigner’s musical versatility. The arrangement is meticulously crafted, featuring a harmonious blend of instruments that work together to evoke a deep sense of yearning and introspection.
The song begins with a distinctive synthesizer intro, providing a haunting and atmospheric foundation that sets the emotional tone. This is soon joined by a steady drumbeat and a prominent bassline, establishing a rhythmic backbone that drives the song forward. Mick Jones’ electric guitar adds texture with subtle riffs and fills, enhancing the song’s depth without overpowering the vocals.
One of the standout features of “I Want to Know What Love Is” is its lush orchestration. The use of layered keyboards and synthesizers creates a sweeping, expansive sound that envelops the listener. Additionally, the inclusion of string arrangements adds a dramatic and cinematic quality to the song, elevating it beyond a simple rock ballad to a more sophisticated and emotionally resonant piece.
Lou Gramm’s vocal performance is central to the song’s impact. His powerful and soulful delivery conveys a profound sense of vulnerability and longing, perfectly complementing the song’s lyrical themes. Gramm’s ability to navigate both tender verses and soaring choruses showcases his vocal range and emotional expressiveness, making the song both memorable and moving.
The chorus of “I Want to Know What Love Is” is particularly noteworthy for its anthemic quality. The repetition of the title line, combined with harmonized backing vocals, creates a powerful and uplifting refrain that is both catchy and emotionally stirring. This sing-along quality contributed significantly to the song’s widespread appeal and enduring popularity.
The song’s bridge introduces a dynamic shift, featuring a gospel choir that amplifies the song’s emotional intensity. The choir’s harmonies add a layer of communal yearning and spiritual depth, reinforcing the song’s quest for understanding and connection. This section serves as a powerful climax, providing a moment of cathartic release before returning to the final chorus.
The production of “I Want to Know What Love Is” is polished and pristine, characteristic of the era’s studio craftsmanship. The balance between the various instruments and vocals is expertly managed, ensuring that each element contributes to the overall emotional impact without overshadowing others. The use of reverb and echo effects adds a sense of space and grandeur, enhancing the song’s atmospheric quality.
Overall, the musical style of “I Want to Know What Love Is” is a masterful blend of rock instrumentation, soulful vocals, and sophisticated production techniques. This combination not only made the song a commercial success but also ensured its lasting appeal as a timeless power ballad that continues to resonate with listeners across generations.
Lyrics
The lyrics of “I Want to Know What Love Is” delve into the universal theme of seeking understanding and connection in love. Written by Mick Jones and Jerry Lynn Williams, the song captures the essence of longing and the desire to comprehend the true nature of love. The narrative is both personal and relatable, allowing listeners to project their own experiences onto the song’s message.
The song opens with reflective lines that set the stage for the emotional journey:
I’ve gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I’m older
These opening verses introduce the speaker’s introspective mindset, suggesting a period of contemplation and self-examination. The mention of “reading between the lines” indicates a desire to understand the subtleties and complexities of love, hinting at past experiences that may have led to skepticism or confusion.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the quest for understanding:
Tell me, will the real thing please stand up
I gotta take a little time
A little time to look at my own situation
Here, the speaker reaches out for authenticity and honesty in love, seeking reassurance and clarity. The repetition of needing “a little time” emphasizes the importance of personal reflection in the process of finding and maintaining love.
The chorus serves as the emotional centerpiece of the song:
I want to know what love is
I want you to show me
I want to feel what love is
I know you can show me
These lines encapsulate the speaker’s earnest desire to experience and understand love fully. The directness and simplicity of the lyrics make the message clear and powerful, resonating with anyone who has sought to grasp the true meaning of love.
The second verse continues the exploration of love’s mysteries:
I’m gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
I’ve got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me
In these lines, the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of love’s arrival, suggesting that after a period of searching and uncertainty, love has finally come into their life. The absence of “nowhere left to hide” conveys a sense of openness and readiness to embrace love fully.
The bridge introduces a sense of hope and affirmation:
Tell me, will the real thing please stand up
I gotta take a little time
A little time to feel the way I feel now
This section reinforces the speaker’s commitment to understanding and embracing love, highlighting a shift from doubt to acceptance. The desire to “feel the way I feel now” indicates a readiness to engage with love on a deeper, more meaningful level.
Throughout the song, the lyrics maintain a balance between introspection and outward longing. The speaker is not only seeking understanding but also actively reaching out to others for connection and support. This duality adds depth to the song’s narrative, making it more than just a simple declaration of love but rather a heartfelt plea for comprehension and mutual emotional fulfillment.
The metaphorical use of time in the lyrics symbolizes the necessary period of personal growth and reflection that precedes the true understanding of love. It suggests that love is not merely a fleeting emotion but a profound and transformative experience that requires patience and introspection.
Overall, the lyrics of “I Want to Know What Love Is” are thoughtfully crafted to convey a deep sense of yearning and the desire for genuine emotional connection. Their simplicity and sincerity make the song universally relatable, allowing listeners to connect with the message on a personal level and find solace in the shared human experience of seeking and embracing love.
Cultural Impact
“I Want to Know What Love Is” had a profound cultural impact upon its release and continues to be a significant presence in popular culture decades later. The song not only solidified Foreigner’s status as a leading rock band of the 1980s but also influenced the broader landscape of power ballads and adult contemporary music.
Upon its release in March 1984, “I Want to Know What Love Is” quickly ascended the charts, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for two weeks. It also achieved significant success internationally, topping charts in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and numerous European countries. Its widespread popularity was a testament to its universal themes and Foreigner’s ability to craft a song that resonated deeply with a diverse audience.
The music video for “I Want to Know What Love Is” played a crucial role in the song’s cultural impact. Directed by David Mallet, known for his work with artists like David Bowie and Queen, the video features Foreigner performing the song interspersed with narrative elements that visually represent the song’s themes of searching and longing. The video’s cinematic quality and emotional storytelling complemented the song’s message, making it a staple on MTV and other music video channels of the time. This visual representation helped to reinforce the song’s emotional depth and broaden its appeal beyond just audio listeners.
The song’s influence extended into various aspects of popular culture. “I Want to Know What Love Is” became a staple in romantic contexts, frequently played at weddings, anniversaries, and other significant life events. Its heartfelt lyrics and uplifting melody made it an ideal choice for moments that celebrate love and emotional connection. Additionally, the song has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and advertisements, often used to underscore romantic or emotionally charged scenes. This extensive use in media has helped to maintain the song’s relevance and introduced it to new generations of listeners.
In the realm of live performances, “I Want to Know What Love Is” became a highlight of Foreigner’s concerts. Its anthemic chorus and emotional delivery made it a fan favorite, often eliciting strong audience participation and sing-alongs. The song’s enduring popularity in live settings contributed to its lasting legacy and ensured that it remained a significant part of Foreigner’s repertoire.
The song also had a notable impact on the power ballad genre. Alongside other 1980s classics like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison and “Alone” by Heart, “I Want to Know What Love Is” exemplified the formula of blending rock instrumentation with emotional, melodic songwriting. Its success demonstrated the commercial viability of power ballads, encouraging other rock bands to incorporate similar styles into their music. This trend helped shape the sound of 1980s rock, making emotionally resonant ballads a staple of the era’s musical landscape.
Moreover, “I Want to Know What Love Is” played a role in bridging the gap between rock and adult contemporary audiences. The song’s soulful melody and heartfelt lyrics appealed to listeners who may not have been traditional rock fans, broadening Foreigner’s fan base and enhancing their crossover appeal. This ability to transcend genre boundaries contributed to the song’s widespread acceptance and enduring popularity.
The song’s legacy is also evident in its continued presence on radio playlists, streaming services, and compilation albums. It remains a favorite on classic rock and adult contemporary stations, ensuring that it remains accessible to both long-time fans and new listeners discovering it for the first time. Its timeless quality, characterized by its universal themes and melodic appeal, allows it to remain relevant and cherished across different generations.
In addition to its commercial and cultural success, “I Want to Know What Love Is” holds a special place in the hearts of many fans due to its emotional resonance and relatable message. The song’s exploration of love’s complexities and the desire to understand its true nature strikes a chord with listeners, making it a song that is both personally meaningful and widely appreciated.
Furthermore, the song’s success contributed to Foreigner’s overall legacy as one of the premier rock bands of the 1980s. It showcased their ability to craft songs that were not only commercially successful but also emotionally impactful and artistically significant. “I Want to Know What Love Is” remains a defining track in their catalog, embodying the band’s musical prowess and their capacity to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level.
Conclusion
“I Want to Know What Love Is” stands as a monumental achievement in Foreigner’s discography and in the broader landscape of 1980s rock and pop music. Its seamless blend of rock instrumentation, soulful melodies, and heartfelt lyrics created a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its initial release. The song’s success played a pivotal role in cementing Foreigner’s status as one of the leading rock bands of their time, showcasing their ability to evolve and adapt their sound while maintaining their core musical identity.
The background of “I Want to Know What Love Is” highlights a period of creative maturation for Foreigner, where the band successfully navigated the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly changing musical landscape. Mick Jones’ collaboration with producer Alex Sadkin resulted in a polished and sophisticated sound that elevated the song beyond Foreigner’s earlier hard rock roots, allowing them to explore more emotive and melodic territories. This evolution was instrumental in broadening their appeal and ensuring the song’s widespread success.
Musically, the song exemplifies the power ballad genre, characterized by its anthemic choruses, dynamic arrangements, and emotional depth. The meticulous production, featuring layered keyboards, soaring guitars, and a powerful vocal performance by Lou Gramm, creates a rich and immersive soundscape that captivates listeners. The song’s structure, with its gentle verses building into explosive choruses and a climactic bridge, provides an emotional journey that is both engaging and fulfilling.
Lyrically, “I Want to Know What Love Is” delves into the universal theme of seeking understanding and connection in love. The straightforward yet profound exploration of love’s complexities allows listeners to connect deeply with the song’s message, making it a timeless anthem for those navigating the challenges of emotional vulnerability and the desire for meaningful relationships. The use of metaphors and emotional imagery enhances the song’s resonance, ensuring that its themes remain relevant across different contexts and generations.
Culturally, the song’s impact was significant and multifaceted. Its chart-topping success, influential music video, and widespread use in media solidified its place in popular culture and contributed to its enduring legacy. “I Want to Know What Love Is” not only reinforced Foreigner’s position in the music industry but also influenced the broader genre of power ballads, inspiring countless artists to explore similar emotional and melodic depths in their work. Its continued presence on radio playlists, streaming services, and in live performances attests to its lasting appeal and significance.
In conclusion, “I Want to Know What Love Is” is more than just a successful single; it is a cultural landmark that captures the emotional and musical sensibilities of its time while maintaining a timeless quality that continues to touch hearts. Foreigner’s heartfelt performance, combined with the song’s evocative lyrics and polished production, created a masterpiece that exemplifies the power of music to convey deep emotional truths and connect people across different backgrounds and generations. Its enduring legacy is a reflection of its universal themes, melodic craftsmanship, and the band’s commitment to creating music that resonates on a profound level. “I Want to Know What Love Is” remains a beloved classic, ensuring Foreigner’s place in the pantheon of influential and enduring rock bands of the 20th century.